sign in sign up
<<
Home , Anointing

GUIDELINES FOR PERSONS DESIRING

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any of you sick? He should call the elders of the to pray over him and anoint him with in the name of the Lord.” James 5:13-14

WHAT IS ANOINTING? Anointing is a biblical rite established in the and carried on into the . and in the Old Testament were anointed with oil as a symbol of the coming upon them to lead God’s people. enlarged the rite of anointing by inviting believers to engage in this when sick.

WHEN IS ANOINTING APPROPRIATE? Contrary to what some people believe, anointing is not a last rite. The invites us to pray with anointing whenever there is a need, not only on one’s deathbed.

WHO CAN BE ANOINTED? Any believer in who has a need for healing and a desire to be prayed for and anointed.

WHY DOES THE PASTOR OR ELDER ANOINT WITH OIL? Oil represents the Holy Spirit. was used for anointing in Bible times.

WHAT CAN I BE ANOINTED FOR? Any sickness including physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, and social, as well as uncontrollable or addictive behaviors. People have been anointed for depression, bad habits, mental problems, handicaps, anything they feel Satan is bothering them with as well as physical illness.

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR ANOINTING? Psalm 66:18 says, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” All known sin must be confessed. God cannot bless you in your sins. “If any who are seeking health have been guilty of evil speaking, if they have sowed discord in the home, the neighborhood, or the church, and have stirred up alienation and dissension, if by any wrong practice they have led others into sin, these things should be confessed before God and before those who have been offended. . . When wrongs have been righted, we may present the needs of the sick to the Lord in calm faith, as His Spirit may indicate.” The Ministry of Healing , p. 229

If you feel like you cannot gain victory over a sin problem, this can be made a subject of prayer in the anointing service. Put your trust in the Lord and His grace. Jesus is able to heal every need. Besides searching your life for sins and confessing them, you may study and read the following:

James 5:13-16 107:17-20 Psalms 66:18 Psalms 41:10 Jeremiah 30:17 Jeremiah 17:14 :1-3 Psalms 103

Also, you may wish to read the chapter “Prayer for the Sick” in The Ministry of Healing .

WILL I HAVE TO DISCLOSE WHY I’M BEING ANOINTED? You do not have to mention specifically why you wish to be anointed. But those praying for you will need to know your need in a general way so they know how to pray for you.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE SERVICE? You will have opportunity to share your reason for requesting the anointing with a small group of people conducting the anointing. These people will kneel in a circle around you praying and claiming specific promises of healing for you. You may request special friends to accompany you and pray for you as well. One person will close the prayer time by praying and touching your forehead with oil. Sometimes the group chooses to quietly sing a song after the anointing is finished.

HOW CAN I KNOW IF I WILL BE HEALED? You can trust God to bring you healing, even if it is not in the way you want or expect. (Remember healing is not only physical but can come with forgiveness, peace of mind, emotional well-being, etc.) Realize God sometimes chooses to heal in stages. Some have lost their pain. Others have found relief through doctors and surgeries. Know that on every occasion of anointing, can be received. Trust God will heal you as He sees fit-even if you must wait until eternity. You can claim James 5:15, “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well (whole)”. Prepared by Peggy Casebier

References: God’s Word The Ministry of Healing “Anointing: the lost rite” Ministry Magazine (Sept. ‘89)